Mail box



Patented Aug. 23, 1927.

UN'TE'D STATES,

OLE O. KOLSTAD, OF DULUTH, MINNESOTA.

MAIL BOX.

Application tied April 14,

This invention relates to improvements in mail chutes and has specie-.l reference to a conduit or chute for the receptionv 4of mail through a wall such for example as the eX- terior of a building or the hall walls of rooms in an apartment house.

rThe principal object of my present invention is to provide as simple, practical and efficient a chute of this character as possible.

Other objects and advantages of the novel construction will appear in the further description thereof.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a vertical central section through one of my improved mail chutes as applied to an ordinary house wall;

Figure 2 is a somewhat reduced front elevation of the receivingdoor of the chute;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a mail bag or pouch adapted to receive the mail at the discharge of the chute; while Figure 4 is a reduced front elevation of the discharge door of the chute.

The installation of the chute to a wall is preferably accomplished at the time of the construction of the wall so that the door frames 1 of the chute may be incorporatedwithin the construction to better advantage. For example the receiving frame l, which is provided with a surrounding flange 2, may be fastened directly onto the outer face of the wall studs 3, and in the event of this wall being a hall wall and plastered externally, the plaster, illustrated at 4, may be neatly form-ed about the outwardly projecting portion of the frame; but if installed in the outer wall of a house, the section indicated at 4 would represent the outer sheathing or finish of the wall.

The frame 1 for the receiving door 5 is provided with an inwardly projecting stop 6 against which the door 5 abuts and the side walls of which are inclined as clearly seen in Figure 1 of the drawings so that the door 5 when closed against the stop is disposed in an inwardly inclined position, it being hinged, as at 7, upon a suitable pin on either lower corner thereof.

The door 5, upon either side thereof and extending inwardly of the door opening, is provided with segmentally shaped wings 8 which just clear the side stops. These wings are preferably formed integral with the 1924. serial No. 706,232.-

door, or may be attached thereto if preferred, and each one is providedv at its lowermostinner corner withl a projecting lug 9 which engages the backside of an auxiliary extension 10 of the stop in'. either upper co'rner. of tliedoor frame 5 thus when the door is rocked open theseV wings act` as side boards to the entrance of theboX and also determine the extent of the opening of the door, as well as act as a counter balance and gravity means for holding the door closed upon the inward side of the pivotal center thereof.

A stepped recess 11 is formed about the upper inner edge of the frame 1 and the sides thereof, while transversethe lower edge of the doer a notch orchannel 12 is formed beneath the inwardly projecting lip 13, so that the upper section 14 of the inclined conduit or chute may abut 'snugly therein,`there beinga boss 15 projecting inwardly on either side ,of the frame 1 throughwhich a Securing bolt or screw is placed for not only holding the conduit section in position, but the frame itself.

As a means for manipulating the door 5 I prefer to employ a card receiving pull or handle indicated at 16, which are commonly used for like purposes.`

The discharge door frame is indicated at 17 and is spaced in the wall considerably below the receiving door frame so that the inclined chute, the sections of which are indicated at 14 and 18, will be disposed preferably at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. The discharge door 19 is also disposed within its frame obliquely and the lower horizontal portion or sill of the frame 17 is also inclined to coincide with the inclination of the conduit. An inwardly projecting stop 20 is formed integral with the frame 17 and occurs on the upper and two side walls thereof only, while the bottom or sill is flush, the lower edge of the door 19 being bevelled to snugly fit upon the sill as clearly illustrated. The upper portion or lintle of the frame 17 has an inwardly projecting angular stop 21 for the reception of the upper edge of the conduit section 18, while the side walls-of this section extend within the frame about but against the side stops 20, and the lower edge of the conduit 18 overlaps the sill of the frame 17; said conduit being rectangular in cross section as is obvious.

Upon the side walls of the frame 17 are tvvo inwardly projecting bosses 22, through which a bolt or screw may be applied for holding the frame in position as Well as the conduit section 18 together; the door 19 being pivotally suspended at either upper corner as at 23.

Upon the upper corners of the trim or stile of the trarne 17 are provided tivo outwardly and obliqnely turned hooks 24 for "f the reception of the inail or pouch 25 which is provided in the upper corners of its mouth with the holes 26 Which engage the hooksl 24. The n'iouth of this bag is such that when hung upon the hooks '2li it Wholly "1 enconijiasses the door 19, and the latter When inail is shot through the conduit Will be forced outwardly against the outer Wall of the bag, which is o course of flexible rnaterial, and iireely permit of ina'il dropping i' into the belly of the bag.

' straight inclined niail chute ot the type described, a door traine for the., receiving end ot the chute having projecting bosses by W iich the chiite is attached to the Jiranie and the traine to the Wall, a door hinged to said traine and held b y gravity in closed position, an inwardly projecting stop against Which the door is closable, a discharge traine to which the chute is attached, and a door for said discharge traine held by gravity in closed position.

9.. The combination with a Wall, of straioht, two-part, telescopically adjustable, inclined inail chute, a receiving door traine, a deoosit door hinged to said traine, a stop against "which the door is cio e, a discharge traine within which the other part ot the chute is attached, the bottoni of said traine being inclined in the saine degree as the chute, a discharge door hinged Within said trarne, both doors being held in closed position by gravity and the discharge door being opened only by the rnail passing through the chute.

rEhe combination with a Wall, of an inclined inail chute having receiving door and a discharge door, a traine for each door having meanscooperating` with its respective end of the chute whereby the traine and chiite are jointly attached to the Wall.

ln testimony Whereot l hereunto atlix iny signature.

OLE 0, KOLSTAD. 

